We get it, home renovations can be pricey. But if you go cheap, it’s worth remembering the old maxim, you can pay now, or pay later. 

Our experience on these things runs deep, especially because a lot of the work we’re called in to perform is to repair or outright replace the first remodeling job that ultimately went bad.

So yes, of course, you can save $$$ hiring a cheap contractor. Just be aware of the risks that come with that decision.

The Pros and Cons of Cheap Contractors

The Pros

#1. Save up-front cash.

Ok, now that we’re done with the positives, here are some of the cons.

The Cons

#1. Unskilled Labor – The ‘cheap’ in ‘cheap contractor’ comes from one of two places: labor costs and material costs. Remember, if the labor is cheap, it means they lack the experience and skills that command higher pay. It’s really that simple.

#2. Crappy Materials – The housing industry is awash in substandard materials. As with unskilled labor, the shoddiness of these products will eventually make an appearance.

#3. Risk – Pay attention to this one in particular because while you can always repair poor workmanship or materials, the lawsuits that come with injured (and uninsured workers) can be a lot stickier and expensive. (And let’s not forget the electrical shorts, plumbing leaks, and other issues that come with workers who lack a basic understanding of building codes and standards.)

#4. Delays – Cheap contractors often lack the bench support and financials to meet deadlines or complete a job at all. We’ve got nightmares to share on this one (4-week kitchens that take 9 months, etc.).

#5. Down-Stream Costs – Remember those up-front savings? Well, keep them in the bank because you’ll likely need them to fix their work later.

Do the Right Thing

A final note. If you’re thinking of going cheap just to flip a home or because you’re planning a sale, remember one of the oldest of all adages, conveniently packaged into one word: karma. It may not come back to bite you on that sale, but it will catch up to you eventually. Again, we’ve been in this business a long time.

Remember to vet your contractor, check their references, ensure they’re insured, and determine if their pricing is in line with genuine (vs fly-by-night) contractors.